AB de Villiers had a brilliant career for South Africa, scoring 20,014 international runs and 47 centuries.
Former South African captain and one of the most charismatic batsman of his era, AB de Villiers shocked everyone by abruptly announcing his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. De Villiers had just returned home from playing in IPL 2018 for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
A veteran of 114 Tests and 228 ODIs, De Villiers scored 8765 and 9577 runs respectively. He also made 25 ODI centuries and 22 Test centuries with a best of 176 and 278* respectively. He also played 78 T20Is and scored 1672 runs with a best of 79*.
De Villiers shared a video on his official Twitter account and cited tiredness and nothing more left to achieve as reasons for announcing his retirement.
Accolades poured in from every corner of the globe for this genius of a batsman and some of the best posts on social media came from De Villiers’ South African teammates.
Here is a collection of some of the best tributes to AB de Villiers:
All the best @ABdeVilliers17 on ur new chapter.What a player,what a man!Truly an honour to have watched & fortunate to have been in ur team❤
— hashim amla (@amlahash) May 23, 2018
Memories never die!! Will treasure ours… https://t.co/3WHkidV4X3
— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) May 23, 2018
Most definitely a G.O.A.T in my book. Truly an honour to have shared some memorable moments on and off the field with you champion. Congrats on an outstanding international career. Wishing you all the best in the next chapter my friend. Good well Braampie @abdevilliers17 #GOAT pic.twitter.com/RV7eK5JmJS
— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) May 23, 2018
Sad to hear that @ABdeVilliers17 has retired from the game. He was a serious player on the field for ????????and an even better person off it and proud to call him my team mate and friend. Good luck with the future plans my bud. U will be missed by many. ????????#Legendofthegame
— Dean Elgar (@deanelgar) May 23, 2018
Straight up, icon of the game! Farewell Abbas. @ABdeVilliers17 is definitely high amongst the ????#GOAT. Who’s your favorite, batter/player of all time ? ????
— kagiso rabada (@KagisoRabada25) May 23, 2018
Congrats on an awesome career @ABdeVilliers17 Enjoy retirement and the extra time with your family. Was a pleasure watching you as a youngster and then becoming one of the best in the world. ????
— Jacques Kallis (@jacqueskallis75) May 23, 2018
Nothing but love ❤️ @ABdeVilliers17 it’s been an absolute privilege pic.twitter.com/Zewf8lFeTJ
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) May 24, 2018